Bills coach Sean McDermott is 6-8 against New England since taking over in Buffalo in 2017. The NFL lists 14 scenarios in which Buffalo can clinch its fifth straight playoff berth, with five based on the Bills beating New England and the remaining nine based on a tie. Stephen Gostkowski has the top three, including a 62-yarder against Oakland in 2017. …Ryland’s 56-yard game-winning field goal against Denver was the fifth longest in Patriots history. … With three tackles, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley would be the first Patriot with three straight 100-tackle seasons since Jerod Mayo. He is leading the NFL with 35 punts inside the 20 yard-line. … P Bryce Barringer has at least one 50-yard punt in all 15 games. With 3 more receiving yards, he would surpass the Aaron Dobson’s 519 in 2013. He has the most receptions for a rookie receiver under Bill Belichick, surpassing Deion Branch’s 43.
… WR DeMario Douglas has 44 receptions for 517 yards. They have held opposing teams under 3 yards per carry six times this season. The Patriots had limited opposing rushers to a league-best 3.2 yards per carry. STATS AND STUFF: New England’s 78 wins against Buffalo are its most against any opponent.